Podi Hamuduruwo: An exceptional human being

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

He was always Podi Hamuduruwo, even when he became a Nayaka Hamuduruwo! Though referred to, by all, as Podi Hamuduruwo, Venerable Dr. Galboda Gnanissara Thero was a giant in action, commanding the respect from the lowliest to the highest in the land. Politicians of all hues sought his company and blessings. He was a Buddhist priest but transcended religion, race, cast, etc. in his service. His death, on Friday 2nd August, at the age of 81 leaves a vacuum that is impossible to fill. He was a no-nonsense man of action and had he been the president of Sri Lanka, at least for a few years, we would have been a developed country by now. In fact, when I mentioned this to him once, he laughed and said Oya pissu mata ona nehe (I do not want that madness).

I cannot recollect the exact date I met him first but I know it was in 1961. Jeewaka Buddhist Medical Hostel was started in June or July of that year and I was fortunate enough to be among the 26 pioneers. Even more fortunate was the fact that the hostel was at Turret Road, close to Liberty Cinema, an easy walking distance from Hunupitiye Gangaramaya, where Podi Hamuduruwo was ordained at the age of 11 years and resided till his death. Seven years later, as his mentor and Viharadipati, Venerable Devundara Wachiswara Thero became incapacitated with visual impairment, Podi Hamuduruwo took over the task of running the Vihara, at the age of 18 years.

As Ven. Shi Fa Zhao has detailed the achievements of Podi Hamuduruwo in the piece “A Tribute to a Noble Friend: Remembering Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera” (The Island, 5 August) I do not wish to repeat his many achievements but wish to delve into two more very important contributions he made.

Podi Hamuduruwo was responsible for the reconstruction of the Seema Malakaya in Beira Lake, getting architectural advice from the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. The continuing transforming of this entire area annually to a ‘Wesak Wonderland’ would remain as a recurring tribute to this great visionary.

The other recurring tribute, of course, would be the Colombo Navam Maha Perahera, started in 1979 by Podi Hamuduruwo, which has become a huge tourist attraction too. I remember his prophetic words when he was planning to start the Navam Perahera. He wanted a pageant to showcase ‘low-country’ dances and when I read a news item a couple of years ago that organisers of the Kandy Esala perahera had decided to drop ‘low-country’ dances, I realised what a visionary Podi Hamuduruwo was!

From that day in 1961, I walked from Jeewaka Buddhist Hostel to Gangaramaya to meet Podi Hamuduruwo, I have remained in touch, later joined by my family. Our daughter and son, both born in Castle Street Maternity Hospital, were taken to Gangaramaya to get the blessings of Podi Hamuduruwo, before being brought to our humble abode in Summit Flats. After leaving Sri Lanka, one person we never failed visit whenever I returned, was Podi Hamuduruwo. On every visit, he never failed to take us round to show the new additions to his temple, which amazed us all.

One incident I can never forget exemplifies the generosity of character of Podi Hamuduruwo. In April 1988, I took the offer of early retirement, as the Ministry of Teaching Hospitals decided to divide the Cardiology Unit among three cariologists, in spite of my succeeding Dr N J Wallooppillai as Cardiologist, when he retired in June 1985. Due to a relentless campaign of misinformation enhanced by the GMOA, the Ministry relented and agreed to the division in March 1987. In compensation, I was made the Senior Cardiologist-in-charge and was offered the option of early retirement, if I was not happy. I started considering various options and consulted Podi Hamuduruwo.

One of the options considered was to retire and set myself up in private practice but the main concern about this option was that I would be limiting my services only to those who could afford to pay, which went against my conscience. How to offer a free service without antagonising my colleagues was the biggest headache. I knew the best counsel I could get was from Podi Hamuduruwo.

When I met him, as JVP troubles had started, he advised me that I should consider the future of my family foremost but if I decided to stay, he assured me that providing free service would not be a problem at all. He did not have to think twice before he said, “I will provide you all the facilities in Gangaramaya, perhaps in Seema Malakaya, for you to do a weekly clinic. Not only that, I will see to it that every drug you prescribe for patients would be provided free of charge.” Such was his love for humanity.

Unfortunately, as JVP killings intensified, I was forced to leave the country. I regret very much that I could not accept that wonderful opportunity offered by Podi Hamuduruwo, but I would not have been alive to pen this tribute to him if I had stayed back.

May Podi Hamuduruwo attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!